Oxalyl chloride → 2-(3-Hydroxypropyl)benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-(2-cyanophenyl)propanoic acid (Example 323b, 4.36 g) in DCM (40 mL) was treated with oxalyl chloride (3.26 mL) under nitrogen. The resulting solution was stirred at 20° C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness, azeotroped with toluene. The solid was dissolved in THF (30 mL) and sodium borohydride (1.883 g) was added. The mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 16 h. Further Sodium borohydride (1.883 g) added and stirred for 4 h. The reaction required a further 3 days and a further sodium borohydride (18.83 g). The reaction mixture was evaporated, diluted with water (200 mL), and extracted with ethyl acetate (200 mL). The organic was dried (MgSO4), filtered and evaporated to give the subtitle compound as an oil (3.83 g).

Provenance & Evidence